IN THIS WEEK'S PRINT-EDITION:

• See the best of the Christmas Home Fantasy tour
• ’Tis the season to welcome newly elected leaders
• Local students win big at county spelling bees

Whiskey, cigars, Victorian charm — all in Merced

By GWEN HAGAMAN
December 13, 2018

Good friends Jonathon Nguyen and Eric Garibay drove down from Turlock to enjoy the Taste America “Whiskey & Cigars” event on Saturday evening, Dec. 8, at the elegant Bear Creek Inn.     MORE>

Local CHP commander keeps focus on safe travel in region

By DOANE YAWGER
December 13, 2018

Becky Hagen grew up in a law enforcement family. Her father was a California Highway Patrol officer and her mother was a Riverside County sheriff's deputy.     MORE>

When All Else Fails, Shop On The Beach

By JOHN M. DERBY
Times Founding Publisher
December 13, 2018

After 30 years even the best of toilets give out, so this is not a complaint about the toilet, however, it had pretty much given up the ghost.       MORE>